The Nevis Physical Planning and Development Control Ordinance. Chapter 6.09 (N).

This Ordinance, consisting of 59 articles and divided into seven Parts, provides for: the preparation of physical Plans, the development and subdivision of land, the assessment of environmental impacts of development actions, the protection of natural environment. The Ordinance concerns: agriculture, including horticulture, fruit growing, seed growing, dairy farming, the breeding and keeping of livestock for meat, wool, skins or fur, or for the purpose of their use in the farming of land, the use of land as grazing land; area of special concern; environmental impact assessment; mining operations; watercourse. This Ordinance aims at: ensuring sustainable use of public and private land; improving the quality of the physical environment in the country; providing infrastructures for the subdivision of land; improving the standard of building construction, in order to enhance human health and safety; defining physical planning and development; protecting the natural and cultural heritage of the country.
Part II concerns administrative matters and defines powers and duties of the Minister; development of the advisory committee; role of the appeal tribunals. Part III concerns physical planning, the preparation and content of the Plans, the phases of revision and approval. Part IV concerns: permission to develop land; particular operations and uses; environmental impact assessment and related criteria and procedures; procedures for public participation; determination of applications for permission to develop land; requirements to subdivide land, including: conservation of natural resources, protection of the environment and control of floods; reservation of open spaces; building plans, including: water storage and catchment services, drainage and sanitation equipments; modification and revocation of permissions; protection of natural areas; maintenance of watercourses and wasteland, related offences. Part V concerns: enforcement notices; right to appeal; power to enter land and execute remedial work. Part VI concerns compensation and acquisition. Part VII provides for miscellaneous matters, including: keeping of registers; restriction on granting various licences; power to issue Regulations. Schedules concern matters for which environmental impact assessment is required, including: mining activities and quarrying; land reclamation; dams and reservoirs; desalination and water purification plants; any development involving the storage and use of hazardous materials; coastal zone management.